Bike lanes are essential to…

Bike lanes are essential to traversing Toronto safely and efficiently for all kinds of residents. Many cyclists cannot afford cars and/or do not feel safe or supported within the current public transit infrastructures. The City of Toronto should be encouraging and developing paths for safe biking (including keeping and maintaining existing Bloor and University cycling paths).

As climate change and congestion become more severe, it is critical that Toronto support -- rather than reverse and remove -- transport alternatives to driving. People, regardless of age and income, can access affordable bicycle ownership or rentals, and removing cycling lanes is a waste of taxpayer money and sets us back as a city. There is a strong lack of forward-thinking vision in Toronto's governance and maintaining bike paths is crucial to supporting working class residents, reducing pollution, and making the city accessible.

Lastly, bike lanes enable people to exercise -- to get out and traverse the city -- safely in the public domain. Many people cannot afford gym memberships etc., but you can cycle for free at any time.

In conclusion, the city should be supporting bike lanes for the purpose of:
- environmental concerns
- public health and exercise
- accessibility/transport alternatives

As seen in Letter Opposing Bill 212 from the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) linked below, many experts also dispute Bill 212's efficacy at reducing car congestion. Instead of removing bike lanes, Ontario and Toronto governments should be supporting alternatives to car transit. The vast majority of Toronto drivers are single-driver vehicles; bikes help alleviate pressure on already busy roadways. As OSPE says: "The key to solving Ontario’s traffic woes is not about maintaining the status quo of car-dominated roadways."

Removing bike lanes will note aid with congestion, but only impede Toronto's progress towards less congestion, healthier commuting, recreation, and environment.